Archaeological Conservation Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Title: TTAP_Preservation Masonry Worker - Individual Placement

Conservation Legacy Program: Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

Site Location: Mesa Verde National Park

P.O. Box 8, Mesa Verde, CO 81330

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 08/03/2026
• End Date: 10/30/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300hr - 12 weeks

Purpose:

• Mesa Verde National Park's mission, and that of the Cultural Resources Operation, is to preserve and protect the cultural heritage and archaeological sites of the Ancestral Pueblo people. As part of the National Park Service, its purpose is to:-Protect nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including over 600 cliff dwellings.
  -Educate the public about the history, culture, and legacy of the Ancestral Puebloans.
  -Help to preserve the architecture and features in sites that are visited by the public.
  -Facilitate the continued connection of descendant communities to their ancestral home.
  -Promote ongoing research, interpretation, and stewardship of this significant cultural landscape.

• Mesa Verde National Park is seeking Indigenous interns to assist the park's Stabilization Crew in preserving ancient masonry buildings and structures. These interns bring unique and invaluable perspectives on preservation and stabilization philosophies, enriching the work of park staff. The program fosters cultural connection for the interns, enhances awareness and sensitivity among non-Indigenous preservation staff, and helps maintain ancestral sites in good condition. This ensures the sites remain available for traditional use by descendant communities and continue to educate the public about the enduring contributions of the Ancestral Pueblo people.

Description of Duties:

• Opening Maintained Archeological Sites for the Season. This project will re-open sites for visitors on Chapin Mesa, including Far View Sites, Mesa Top Loop sheltered sites, Cliff Palace, Balcony House, Square Tower House; and sites on Wetherill Mesa, including the Badger House Community Sites, Step House and Long House. Opening sites for the visitor season involves assessing sites to make sure they are safe for park visitors, weeding and removing overgrown brush, sweeping, assessing the sites for damage such as potential rock falls and damage from burrowing rodents, and opening the hurricane shutters on sheltered sites.
• Stabilization and Preservation of Mug House Cliff Dwelling: This project will repair and stabilize Mug House, a cliff dwelling on Wetherill Mesa that was occupied from the 1000s CE to the 1200s, and can be visited on special tours certain years, including this year. Mug House cliff dwelling contains about 94 rooms and 8 kivas on 2 levels. The project will address basic fabric repairs to site architecture and retaining walls. Activities will include pointing of eroded mortar joints, resetting of loose and displaced stone, and replacement of deteriorated stone.
• Preserve and Protect Tree House, Alcove House, and the Petroglyph Point Panel. The crew will replace an interpretive wayside panel at Petroglyph Point (the largest prehistoric rock art site in the park open to the public). The new wayside will educate visitors about the importance of the irreplaceable prehistoric rock art images visitors view at Petroglyph Point. They will also repair structural deterioration at Alcove House, a prehistoric archeological point-of-interest along the trail. Repairs include repointing eroded mortar joints, repairing cracks, replacing decomposing masonry, and resetting loose and displaced masonry. Finally, chain and stanchions will be fabricated and installed in front of loose rubble on the archeological site called Tree House to protect visitors from crossing unstable ground.
• Maintain Archeological Site 5MV16. This project will stabilize an Ancestral Pueblo structural site in Mesa Verde National Park and repair elements of its protective shelter. The site helps to educate tourists about the evolving architectural practices of the Ancestral Pueblo. Work involves setting of loose stones on wall caps, filling of voids, and pointing of eroded masonry joints. Other work involves maintenance to the protective shelter that allows year-round visitor access to the site.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 17+ years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Driver's license and clean driving record
• Physical effort is required for this position, including, lifting, or handling of objects over 50 lbs. using proper techniques.
• Ability to stand or kneel for long periods
• climb ladders up to 20 feet tall, possible work from scaffolding or platforms, work on uneven or angled surfaces, and/or be able to work in small, confined spaces.
• Ability to work outdoors, 10-hour days in heat and sun. Temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to hike rough, uneven terrain
• Willingness to learn and work as part of a team

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve 08/03/2026 to 10/30/2026, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Hands-on field training with the Crew Lead on mortar selection, mixing, and repointing techniques.
• Introduction to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, focusing on preservation and rehabilitation.
• Tool usage and safety training for hand tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), and ergonomic work practices.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,565.08
• Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $120.00 per week.
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Contact information:

Cody Fetty - cfetty@conservationlegacy.org

Christine McAllister - christine_mcallister@nps.gov

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.